Personal Details
Charles Herbert Shaw was born in Cheetham, Manchester in 1866. He was the third son of William Euclid and Matilda Jane Shaw of 46, Wrexham Road, Whitchurch.
Charles worked for Messrs Griffiths Bros., corn merchants, Chester.
Charles enlisted on the 5th September 1914 (despite being 48 years old) into the 2/7th Cheshire Regiment, No 1 Supply Company, as a Book Keeper. He was soon appointed to Corporal on the 26th January 1915, and then Sergeant on the 1st June 1915. He was discharged on the 2nd December 1915, on the grounds “No longer physically fit for war service," having served 1 year and three months.
Military Details
Regiment : 2/7th (Territorial) Battalion Cheshire Regiment
Rank : Sergeant
Service Number : 20028
Died of Illness; United Kingdom 2nd October 1916 Age 50
The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
Further Information
An Army Report from the Medical Record of Charles Herbert Shaw concerning his illness.
"Medical Report States;
That the early winter was exceptionally cold and wet, the man was then a private, and took his regular turn on guard. Got thoroughly chilled and soaked to the skin and could not remove his clothes while off guard in the crowded and unventilated guard room. Sleeping quarters equally crowded, badly ventilated and damp. Indeed circumstances better calculated to induce pulmonary trouble can scarcely be imagined."
Army Records
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Information provided by Terry Evanson Whitchurch, Shropshire and Whitchurch Museum and Archives